Celebrated American composer Cole Porter was born on this day in history, June 9, 1891, in Peru, Indiana. Porter, born into a prestigious family, showed musical talent from a young age, starting to play the violin and piano at just 6 years old. By age 10, he was already composing songs, showcasing his prodigious talent.
Porter’s musical journey continued as he composed a piece called “The Bobolink Waltz” at age 11 and later attended Worcester Academy and Yale University, where he wrote a total of 300 songs for various productions. Despite initially enrolling in Harvard Law School to please his grandfather, Porter eventually followed his passion for music, leading him to New York City in search of work.
His breakthrough came in 1928 with the musical comedy “Paris,” featuring the hit song “Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall in Love.” This success propelled Porter to create more iconic musicals and songs like “Anything Goes” and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.”
Tragically, in 1937, Porter was paralyzed after a horse-riding accident, but he continued to compose. His later works, including “Kiss Me Kate” and “Can-Can,” solidified his status as an American music icon.
Porter’s legacy lives on through his timeless music, and he was posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a portrait in the Hoosier Heritage Gallery. Despite his untimely death in 1964, Porter’s contributions to the world of music remain cherished and celebrated to this day.